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Flat-fix firm finds full-service distributor

Flat-fix firm finds full-service distributor

   Tire sealant maker Accessories Marketing Inc., Friday said it has hired Weber Distribution to handle the firm's nationwide distribution.

   Marketed under the name of 'Slime,' AMI's main products is a neon green goo manufactured at the firm's Grover headquarters and used to prevent flat tires in bicycles, automobiles, and motorcycles.

   AMI's retailers for nearly a decade have included Wal-Mart, Kmart, Home Depot, Pep Boys, Ace Hardware and Target. When the firm picked up additional volume from auto parts retailer AutoZone in 2004, it led to AMI hiring a third-party logistics provider for the first time.

   According to Jason Hackett, director of logistics for Accessories Marketing, the process was painful because of the provider they selected. 'Big retailers are extremely compliant-driven and the 3PL we were working with was not familiar with their requirements. They also had a tremendous amount of turnover at their facility, which resulted in a lot of mistakes — we were constantly retraining their new staff. This obviously had a major influence on our bottom line, including customer shortages and vendor compliance chargebacks in excess of $150,000.'

   AMI's search for a new all-in-one logistics provider led them to the Los Angeles-based Weber, which Hackett describes as 'having it all.'

   Through its 360,000-square-foot Norwalk-based import and retail facility, Weber will handle roughly 700 to 800 outbound orders per month for AMI, totaling 98 percent of the sealant maker's distribution requirements.

   Financial details of the deal were not released.

   AMI's products are distributed in more than 36 countries and 'Slime' products are sold at more than 50,000 retail distribution points worldwide.

   Weber, whose clients include Simplicity for Children, Ocean Spray, Welch's, PPG Industries, and Agfa, operates 18 distribution facilities, including more than 3 million square feet of space, and its own in-house dedicated trucking fleet.